Ryan hails hero Richards

Ryan hails hero Richards

Ryan hails hero Richards

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Peter Richards

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Gloucester moved up to second place in the Premiership with a thrilling victory over leaders Leicester who managed to score four tries and conceded only two.

The key to Gloucester's success was the place kicking of full-back Willie Walker who landed six penalties and missed only two other shots at goal.

Delighted Gloucester coach Dean Ryan praised Walker's accuracy with the boot — and also thanked man-of-the-match Peter Richards, the home scrum half, for a winning performance.

Ryan said he would not be surprised if England again recalled Richards after his sparkling performance in which he scored one of Gloucester's two tries and was the architect of the other.

Peter is a fantastic ball player,' said Ryan. He is outstanding when conditions are a bit drier, as they are now.'

Ryan said Gloucester are now in a position to push for the title once their Italian players, notably Marco Bortolami, are back from internationals.

Leicester coach Pat Howard said there were ifs and buts' in the game, particularly a disallowed try by winger Tom Varndell which could have made all the difference.

But he said he was not disappointed with Leicester's play and the side had only let themselves down in a six-minute spell when they conceded 11 points. We scored four tries to Gloucester's two and I am proud of the guys,' he said.

Howard said his concern is not whether Leicester finish top of the Premiership but whether they can take the title in the play-offs.

First doesn't matter,' he said. It's being top four that matters and then winning those last two games.'

He believes Leicester can take the title because they have proved they are the best attacking side.